This is happening! Who knew how this amazing story would unfold before our eyes! Just 1 year ago, Bonnie and I summitted Kilimanjaro and raised over $11,000 to support education, feeding and medical care for 60 Ugandan children! What a joy it was for me to oversee every penny of those funds and witness the impact of each and every dollar. Kids went to school, recieved proper nutrition and malaria treatment- all because of YOUR generous support!  <img class="not-resizable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/728762_1414872464.5516_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" /> SO much has happened since then! When I left Uganda 10 months ago, I did not know when I would be back. But I knew that when the time was right, I would know. I knew that when the need presented itself and I had the ability to help; when I had a plan and an opportunity to implement it, I would. The time is now! I am leaving in 6 days! WHAT!?!? Yep. That's right. I am going back. As we know, the need is ongoing. It was that ongoing need that inspired me to start a sustainability project. Beauty For Ashes jewelry project was born last December to empower women create sustainable incomes to support their own children, reducing the risk of abandonment to childrens homes. Older girls are involved on school breaks and can earn money to pay for their own expenses, so they are learning the pride, power, and dignity of financial independence.  <img class="not-resizable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/728762_1414871473.2333_funddescription.jpeg" alt="" width="100%" /> By way of a series of magical events that have ensued, these beautiful bracelets are now available for sale online through a fantastic social venture I have partnered with called Trade Monkey! Go shop their unique handmade accessories and artwork. <a href="http://www.gotrademonkey.com">www.gotrademonkey.com</a>. They are up to all kinds of gorgeous goodness! <img class="not-resizable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/728762_1414871829.4109_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" /> Can you believe all that is going on!? As demand for these bracelets increases, the project is needing a boost. I am flying back to Uganda to get the women back into full production mode and set up the project to be self-sustaining. Your donations to the project will go toward start up supplies like scissors and storage bins. Electricity in Uganda is expensive and unreliable. Your donations will help provide solar powered lighting solutions to help the women work in the evening hours, while their children are asleep.  <img class="not-resizable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/728762_1414872797.1423_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" /> In addition, my little loves there still have ongoing needs of their own. School fees are due each term, malaria has not yet been erased from East Africa and there are still mouths to feed. Naturally, my heart is always to help them as best that I can and see that they thrive toward a life of vitality and independence through education.  <img class="not-resizable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/728762_1414872143.567_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" /> This visit is a SURPRISE for the children! I can't wait to see their faces! They are going to absolutely FLIP!  <img class="not-resizable" src="https://2dbdd5116ffa30a49aa8-c03f075f8191fb4e60e74b907071aee8.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/728762_1414873061.2299_funddescription.jpg" alt="" width="100%" /> Please JOIN ME in supporting the Beauty For Ashes project and kids at any level that you can. I will be there on the ground to oversee every dollar that is donated. If you would like, please feel free to designate where you would like your funds to go- the women's sustainability project, education, medical care or food. Every bit will help so much! It is amazing what love can do. Let's do this!

Sean & Kate Cook

Darin  Murphy

Kate Mensinger

Anonymous

Chris G

Mike Earley & Paul Ingold

Sue King-Irwin

Sally Blue

Caleb Baysinger

Lucy W. Solomon

Beth Renick

Ed and Liz Folsom

Elisha Scott 

Bradley Sund

The Bell Boys 

Erica Kearns

brianna garcia

EMpowering Women, Caring for Kids 

EMpowering Women, Caring for Kids

Still $1,885 to go. Help us build momentum.